Mars Automatic Pistol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mars Automatic Pistol |
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Mars Automatic Pistol
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| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Hugh Gabbet-Fairfax |
| Designed | 1890s |
| Manufacturer | Webley & Scott |
| Produced | 1897–1907 |
| No. built | approximately 80 |
| Specifications (barrel) | |
| Mass | 3.00 lb (1.36 kg) |
| Length | 12.25 in (31.1 cm) |
| Barrel length | 9.50 in (24.1 cm) |
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| Cartridge |
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| Action | long recoil, rotating bolt |
| Muzzle velocity |
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| Sights | Iron |
The Mars Automatic Pistol, sometimes called the Webley-Mars, was a special type of semi-automatic pistol. It was designed in 1900 by an Englishman named Hugh Gabbet-Fairfax. The pistol was first made by a company called Webley & Scott. Later, smaller gunmakers in Birmingham and London also built them. Production of this pistol stopped in 1907.
Contents
What is the Mars Automatic Pistol?
The Mars Automatic Pistol was known for being made in different sizes, called calibers. These included 8.5 mm, 9 mm, and .45. These pistols used special cartridges that were shaped like a bottle neck. They also had a lot of gunpowder inside.
The Most Powerful Handgun
For a while, the .45 version of the Mars Automatic Pistol was the most powerful handgun in the world. This was because of its large cartridges and strong powder charge.
How it Worked
The Mars pistol used a unique way of working called "long recoil rotating bolt action." When fired, the empty cartridge would shoot straight out the back. The way it loaded new cartridges was also unusual. It would pull them backward from the magazine and then lift them into place.
Why Was it Not Used by the Army?
The British War Office (which is like the army's main office) looked at the Mars Automatic Pistol. They were thinking about using it to replace the revolvers the British Army was using at the time. However, they decided not to use it.
Problems with the Pistol
There were a few big problems with the Mars Automatic Pistol:
- Strong Recoil: It kicked back very hard when fired. This made it uncomfortable to shoot.
- Bright Flash: It created a lot of muzzle flash, which is a bright light from the end of the barrel.
- Complex Design: The pistol was very complicated inside, making it harder to maintain.
What Testers Said
In 1902, a captain testing the Mars pistol said, "No one who fired once with the pistol wished to shoot it again." People described shooting it as "singularly unpleasant and alarming." This means it was very uncomfortable and even a bit scary to fire.
A Rare Collector's Item
Today, the Mars Automatic Pistol is very rare. Only about 80 were ever made. Because it's so rare and was an early example of a semi-automatic pistol, it has become a valuable item for collectors. It shows an important step in the history of handgun development.
